41 replies to this topic

[Andy]

Well wasn't that a Party!! T'is now Monday morning and I am just starting to recoup from a weekend at Ziggy's Pub and the 2nd Annual Atlas F1 Canadian GP Headquarters. There was a car race? Actually for me the race itself was great but somewhat anti-climatic after the weekend of fun on Crescent Street. The crowds were insane and the women as beautiful as Montréal women always are! (I personally didn't notice, being the married man I am, but was told so by many Atlas F1ers who dropped by!;) )

O.K., first things first. I know you all want to know who made an appearance at Ziggy's Pub so here's the list based on the sign-in sheets. There were actually more who didn't sign-in but, their loss, they won't get mentioned!

BB Members first (in no particular order)

Nickname:………………..From?
Chris G. ………………….Louisville Kentucky, USA
Jhope …………………….Montréal, Québec, Canada
Skip ………………………Miami, Florida, USA
JanUsa …………………..Chattanooga, Tennesee, USA
Mullaluska ……………….Wexford, Ireland / Atyrav, Kazakstan
TheD2Jbug ………………Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
whit ………………………..Washington, D.C., USA
Freq019 …………………..Washington, D.C., USA
nsminc ……………………Montréal, Québec, Canada
JayWay …………………..Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Jecko ……………………..Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Bogman …………………..Montréal, Québec, Canada
DJB ……………………….Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
mueller ……………………Calgary, Alberta, Canada
bugeye ……………………Boston, Mass., USA
Wheels ……………………Chicago, Illinois, USA
Mario ………………………Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Simona ……………………Montréal, Québec, Canada
JB ………………………….Florida, USA
BARouette ………………..Montréal, Québec, Canada
profylyn ……………………New York, New York, USA
jhodges ……………………San Francisco, California, USA
maxpapis ………………….Daytona, Florida, USA
pRy …………………………England
bira …………………………Israel
bigblue ……………………..Vermont, USA
shoofirbin ………………….Boston, Mass., USA
Greg ……………………….Pittstown, New Jersey, USA
Jackdaw …………………..Minneapolis, MN, USA
Mila ………………………..Brooklyn, New York, USA
tattooed ……………………Toronto, Ontario, Canada
F1Johnny ………………….Jamaica
gray cat ……………………New York, USA
F1girl ………………………Boston, Mass., USA
ussf1 ………………………Boston, Mass., USA
EKB ……………………….Toronto, Ontario, Canada
John ……………………….Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
carlos.maza ………………Caracas, Venezuela
chilkoot ……………………Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
F1rulz …………...........Seattle, Washington, USA

And the rest of the Atlas faithful (in no particular order)

Name:………………..From?
Don Skelton ………...Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Martin Fitzsimons …..Ireland
Des Farrell …………..North West Ireland
Patrick Dillon ………..Chicago, Illinois, USA
Robert McMahon …...Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Mike Saliture ………...Chicago, Illinois, USA
Sam Youngman …….Ashton, Maryland, USA
JoAnne Degnan …….Ashton, Maryland, USA
BJ Gaspro …………..Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, USA
Christine Traynor …...Montréal, Québec, Canada
Julie Sturrock ………..Montréal, Québec, Canada
Alistair Meikle ………..Jamaica
Mark ………………….Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada


Ziggy's Pub all set to go, complete with Atlas F1 HQ sign!

The first Atlas member I met this year was on Thursday afternoon when I first got to Ziggy's to get set up, in walked Chris G. with wife Raquel and friends in tow. Chris G. had just arrived from Louisville, KY and his friends were from Indiana & Philadelphia, PA. Those of you who remember my report from last year's HQ will remember me speaking of the "Dublin Brothers", well they were the next to walk through the door at Ziggy's however unlike last year, this was the last I was to see of them all weekend!


The 'Dublin Duo'! Mullaluska on the left and (ex-Rally Navigator) friend Alec on the right.

What is it with the Irish? Last year was the "Dublin Brothers" and this year we had the "Dublin Duo"! Although not brothers, and actually from a place a bit outside of Dublin, Ireland, Dave and Alec quickly became rather permanent "fixtures" at Ziggy's! Dave is actually better known around Atlas F1 as Mullaluska, fellow Poster but most likely remembered as "That guy who won Bet Your Nuts 2000"!! As you may recall, 1st prize in BYN was tickets to any Grand Prix you wished to attend! Well Mullaluska, who actually works in Atyrav, Kazakstan, chose the Canadian GP as his prize and brought his buddy Alec along for the trip. You can guess Mullaluska was a pretty popular guy with everyone wanting to know his "secret"!


Chris G. (2nd from left)enjoying the sights out in front of Ziggy's before his wife caught him staring too long at the Molson Dry Pit Crew Girls! ;)


Oh, did someone say Molson Dry Pit Crew Girl??

[Andy]

When I returned to Ziggy's Thursday evening I was greeted by the "Shirt From Hell!" TheD2Jbug (formerly DonJordie) had informed/warned everyone in the AtlasF1 chat room that he would be wearing his 'party shirt' which came with a very strict warning… "Do NOT Look Directly At The Shirt"!! This has got to be the brightest, most obnoxious Hawaiian shirt you have every seen! I took one (quick) look at this shirt and said "You GOTTA be Don!" What got me was that D2J/DonJordie/Cecil actually seemed surprised that I recognized him! D2J then also introduced me to JanUsa who had also spotted D2J by his shirt!

Sam took a picture of me and D2J in "The Shirt" and is supposed to e-mail it to me. Presuming I get it I will slip it in here. You gotta see it!


Here it is!! The SHIRT FROM HELL!! That's me on the left (the only one brave enough to get that close to "the shirt") and, of course, TheD2JBug in all his glory!

Sam & JoAnne from Maryland spent most of Thursday evening chatting it up with my business partner, Jim, and his wife Adrienne. Adrienne quickly became very jealous of JoAnne as she is the owner of 3 Porsches!


Keeping the masses happy, Chris the barkeep runs the beer taps at Ziggy's. Smithwicks! Mmmmmmm;)

Also stopping by, among others on Thursday night were whit, Freq019 (missed these two!), nsminc, Jecko (with those super cool sideburns still in-tact!), DJB, Bogman and none other than Atlas F1 Bulletin Board's best known, perpetually 17 year old member; JayWay!!;)

Out in the street the static displays of Honda Cars & Motorcycles was great! Unfortunately I only had a cheesey disposable camera so the photos outside did not come out so well.


Speedvision Honda


Oh well, okay, maybe the camera wasn't that bad. Was just "testing" it here and the Lucky Strike Girls Just happened to be in the way!!;)

Friday mid-afternoon was rather quiet inside Ziggy's as I dropped by with Mrs. Andy and AndyJr. I had fake I.D. for 4-month-old AndyJr just in case he was 'carded' but figured if JayWay can pass for 18 then AndyJr shouldn't have a problem! ;)

Friday night Jim, Adrienne and I returned to find D2J "talkin' up" some nice looking lady from Ohio!;) Little did we realize who was sitting at the booth about 2 over from where we were standing. One of the members of the fairer sex got up and came over after seeing my Atlas T-shirt. Although she did try hard to fool D2J and I, we were too smart for that, Bira does not have a Florida accent! Nice try maxpapis! At the table were maxpapis, pRy, Jhodges and, none other than our glorious Atlas Leader, finally emerging after years of anonymity - Bira! After hello's and hugs everyone settled into a night of fun at Ziggy's.

The highlight for me, was in presenting Bira with a special gift only I could get away with giving her… A genuine Jacques Villeneuve Lucky Strike / BAR / Honda cap! As most of you know, I am a die-hard JV fan and, well, let's just say Bira does not share my enthusiasm for JV! I thought the gift was fitting and she actually did model it for most of the night!! Oh to have a picture just to prove Bira wore a JV cap!! Oh well, I got to see it and that was satisfaction enough for me! Take good care of that hat Bira, and may it always make you think of me, and smile…;)

Friday night also brought bigblue out from Vermont, shoofirbin, greg & Jackdaw were among others who dropped by as well!

[Andy]

Saturday I had every intention of arriving at Ziggy's around 5pm. Unfortunately my car had other plans and after my alternator kicked-it in the shopping centre parking lot, I only ended up getting back to Ziggy's around 8pm to find that, for the 2nd year in a row I had missed Mila from Brooklyn, NY!! Maxpapis/Cathy had been in at 6:30 and wrote "Where are you people??" on the sign-in sheet! About a minute after arriving at Ziggy's, Donna the barmaid calls over "Andy, telephone!" (By now I realize I have been at Ziggy's way too long! ) I take the phone and the voice on the other end asks "Are you with the Atlas Group?" to which I respond "Hi Bira, it's Andy!" "Is Cathy there? I can't find here anywhere and we have dinner reservations!" Soon after Cathy re-appeared with D2J carrying their newly acquired "F1 Condoms"! (You'll have to ask them 'cause I'm not getting involved in this one! )


TheD2JBug putting the moves on the Campari Girls!
What did you say Cecil's girlfriends e-mail address was??


left to right @ Ziggy's; pRy, maxpapis, TheD2JBug

Saturday night also brought tattooed, bugeye, EKB, John & gray cat out. All the way from Jamaica, F1Johnny stopped in for a quick 'Hello' before heading off for some eats! Then the ultimate party couple F1girl & ussf1 from Boston landed into our booth! Hey F1girl, I warned you Canadian beer wasn't the same as your American stuff!! I bet those cars were EXTRA LOUD on Sunday morning, eh??!!


L to R: Alec, Mullaluska (Einstein shirt), TheD2Jbug, F1girl, tattooed & ussf1 down in front!


Alec, Adrienne & Mullaluska / Dave


L to R: Mark, Bogman (with the beer, of course!), Adrienne & Jim

At one point on Saturday night I hear a voice through the crowd with a South American accent "Are you Andy?" the stranger asks "Yes, and who are you?" I reply. "I am Carlos Maza from Venezuela!!!" The excited voice replied. I have to tell you, of all the F1 fans I met this weekend or probably have every met, I have never met one as enthusiastic and excited as Carlos! After following F1 for 30 years, since the age of nine, Carlos was here in Montréal covering the Canadian GP for the newspaper he works for in Venezuela and this was his first ever attendance at a Grand Prix! Carlos and his friend, sporting their Jacques Villeneuve, Lucky Strike caps, told me how they had called their wives in Venezuela on their cell phones when the first F1 cars came out on the track for Friday practice, just so their wives could hear the cars!

So, once again I'd have to say that the Official Atlas F1 Canadian GP Headquarters was a success and much fun was had by all. New friendships were formed and now, for many of us, we have faces to put behind the nicknames we see so often in the Forums on Atlas F1. Strangers & strange people from around the globe, we met at Ziggy's, had a few drinks, shared many laughs and left with great memories of the Canadian GP 2001…

I would like to thank all of you who went out of your way and fought the crowds on Crescent Street to get to Ziggy's and make this event worthwhile. Thanks for dropping by and we hope to see you all again next year!

On a personal note, I would like to say a very special Thank You to two people who made my GP weekend complete. I had been promised tickets to the GP for a year by the girl I deal with at a 'particular' client of mine closely related to the GP. Well, long story short, I had not purchased tickets due to this promise and the tickets promised fell through leaving me only my GA pass which I get from a track employee / friend every year with ALL tickets for race day sold out! GA not being what it used to be, I was set to watch the race on TV at a party at a friend's place on Sunday. Well Bira would not hear of it and, between her and TheD2JBug, they came up with a Silver Grandstand ticket for me!! You guys are the best! Again, Thank You So Much!!;)

[The Swerve]

Sounds like you all had a great time. Great report Andy.

[mel]

Top quality entertainment

[Andy]

Originally posted by mel
Top quality entertainment

The HQ or the Report??

[mel]

Both

[CDNgrl]

Hey Andy.

Sorry I missed you. Being 8 months pregnant -- the whole event was an EXTREME ordeal for me. I decided to head down to Crescent street on Thursday -- thinking naively that the crowds would not be too bad. It was a zoo --- and I felt like a blimp surrounded by those Molson Dry gorls!!!! I was there quite early -- and I headed into Ziggy's at 7:15 p.m. --- too early for you partiers -- but almost bed time for this old gal! I asked the bartender if you were there -- she said you had stepped out. (Molson Dry gorls were in front of Ziggy's at this point -- is there a connection????) Seeing that I wasn't drinking -- I left.

Moments later I met Jacques Villeneuve!

Hubby and I decided to head back to the hotel --- and we took deMaisoneuve because there was less of a crowd than St. Catherine Street. About two blocks down --- in front of me, I see JV. My heart is going boom boom boom. OK -- the truth is out -- I'm a pathetic groupie! I'm saying "look! look! look!" and hubby is looking all over -- and sees nothing. It all happened so quickly. I stop dead in my tracks -- and he's in front of me --- walking quickly as though on a mission (obviously headed to Newtown) and I say (like a dork) "Hello Mr. Villeneuve!". Mr!!!! He's 6 years younger than me! But it was full of respect. Here I go sounding like a groupie again, but it was like a diety was in front of me! Not only was it Jacques Villeneuve -- it was Gilles Villeneuves Son!

He smiled and nodded his head, and was gone.

Impressions?? Ummm -- so much smaller than I thought! More hair -- and curly. I'm used to the helmet head look.

So -- I supose I can thank Andy for not being at Ziggy's!

[shoofirbin]

andy-
it was a stone groove my man.
-shoofirbin

[Mickey]

Excellent report, Andy!

My fav part is:

I take the phone and the voice on the other end asks "Are you with the Atlas Group?" to which I respond "Hi Bira, it's Andy!" "Is Cathy there? I can't find here anywhere and we have dinner reservations!"

LMAO!!! That's classic!

I would have loved to see more photos of everyone. Have they threatened you into not publishing them?;)

Again, great stuff Andy!

[Andy]

Mickey - Sorry, the rest of the photos either have a 'R+' rating or my life is in danger if they are published!

CDNgrl - I spent the weekend looking for you! Was so sorry to miss you. 7:15 Thurs. hmmm? Well you DID get to see the Molson Gorls - oops - I mean Jax!! However in order to validate your story I will need either to see Jax autograph or a note from your Mother! ;)

[Bogman]

Andy;;; Once again, thanks for organizing all this, and I had a great time (although not as liquored up as last year)......so did Mrs. Bogman (although I should tell Alec to stop hitting on my wife!;) ...maybe he was pissed off 'cause I called him Adam all night). Just sorry that I didn't get to spend as much time with you guys at Ziggy's.......but hell I had to sleep sometime.

Cheers;; Steve

[CDNgrl]

Originally posted by Andy

CDNgrl - I spent the weekend looking for you! Was so sorry to miss you. 7:15 Thurs. hmmm? Well you DID get to see the Molson Gorls - oops - I mean Jax!! However in order to validate your story I will need either to see Jax autograph or a note from your Mother! ;)

Ask my hubby! He's still teasing me because of my dorkiness! I then went on to blubber that "oh -- this is the best thing that has ever happened to me!" (being that close to Jax) "Ahem!" replies hubby --- "what about "me", what about our son, what about that girl in your belly that is making you waddle!".

Real pathetic. A 36 year old pregnant groupie. Not a pretty picture!

[Andy]

Originally posted by Bogman
......so did Mrs. Bogman (although I should tell Alec to stop hitting on my wife!;) ).

Ya, Alec told Jim's wife she had "Luscious Lips", right in front of Jim to boot!! Go figure, Mullaluska was well behaved and Alec was after every woman in the place, guess which one of them is married??! Ah well, nothin' like a liquored-up Irishman to make the evening more interesting!

Good to see ya again Steve, glad you enjoyed/behaved yourself this year!;)

CDNgrl... Sad, very sad indeed!

[paulb]

Envy, envy, envy. Great job, Andy, conveying the fun and games and, oh yeah, drinking, at the partae!

Too bad each GP could not have such a high-falutin' Atlas good time.

I think Montreal is moving up on the list (top 3) of GP's to attend.

Did your son have a hangover?

[maxpapis]

Originally posted by Andy
Mickey - Sorry, the rest of the photos either have a 'R+' rating or my life is in danger if they are published!

I got my pictures back yesterday... there are a few that no one will see... trust me ;)

[bigblue]

It was fun to finally put some faces to some names. I didn't get to meet to many people but I enjoyed meeting all of you that I did. Looking forward to next year.

[FucF1]

Nice report Andy! Glad everyone had a good time and Cathy etc we want to see those pics!

[carlos.maza]

Hi Andy

Let me first tell you it was a real pleasure to be at Ziggy's and knowing you.
I was staying at the Governours' Hotel and came through Maissoneuve Blvd to Crescent but it was impossible to pass, so I had to turn back a block and approach from the back. There was so many people in the party!!
Finally I arrived to Ziggy's and it was worth the effort.
Nice city Montreal, I would like to come back sometime.

As you say in your report, I was really excited about the race, the cars, the environment. Regarding the cellular phone call to my wife, it is correct. I felt the engines sound in my stomach, it was so different to the TV sounds that I needed to call her and share it. It was really amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We spent friday and saturday walking the circuit and photographing and filming the cars at different turns.
Finally, I watched the race from the press room.
In the paddock I was able to take some pics (I hope they are clear) of the Minardi's engine, as well as Tarso Marques' car flat bottom and difussor.

Hope to repeat the experience

[RaceGirl]

Originally posted by CDNgrl
Here I go sounding like a groupie again, but it was like a diety was in front of me!

CDNgrl: I think your reaction was very sweet. And don't worry: I have a feeling that if I ever met Jean Alesi in the street, I would turn into a complete blubbering idiot and say something remarkably silly.

[theMot]

Id be all over that bruenette on the left HOT

Sorry i couldnt make it, I was chased out of town by irate JV supporters

[paulb]

Originally posted by theMot

Id be all over that bruenette on the left

Not a pretty picture!

[Andy]

Well seeing as those ARE the BAR/Lucky Strike gorls, maybe it was them who chased Mottie outta town??!

P.S. Doesn't the one on the R/H end look an awful lot like Mika Hakkinen???

[markzed]

It's great to see pics of the F1 nuts we talk to on Atlas.
Sounds like it was a blast. Hopefully I'll get to another GP outside of Oz soon.
Jolly good reporting, Andy!

Cathy,
Just one of the juicy photos! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

[Andy]

Hmmmm, maxpapis, TheD2JBug, F1 condoms.... Are you sure you want to see the pictures??!!

[Sean L]

Originally posted by Andy
P.S. Doesn't the one on the R/H end look an awful lot like Mika Hakkinen???

Yeah, and the one in the middle is Ralf with Kimi on his right.

I'm jealous Andy. Our Atlas SA meeting never quite came together.

[paulb]

Andy, Cathy - just one please !

OK - pretty please!

[F1Rulz]

Hmm.. I thought I put my BB handle down... But I remember I was having trouble spelling it too. Must have had too many by that time Sorry I didn't stick around to BS but there was too much going on to sit idle for too long . Besides we were too busy getting kicked out of JV's resturant Mrs. F1Rulz said well next year we'll have to stick around a little longer (ha; did you see that Next Year she's alright. She was even talking that maybe we should go to Oz next year I'm beginning to think she's more F1 crazy than I am.)

[MrAerodynamicist]

Sounded a laugh, I'll have to try and get there next year

[Andy]

F1Rulz - John, that you?? I found it!! 'cept you put "F1Rule z"!! (Thurs. @ 8:45pm ??) No wonder I couldn't find it in the members list!! SORRY, will change my post above!

Yes you definately should have stuck around but I have to agree, there was so much going on 'outside' that one couldn't resist. (Andy knows F1rulz saw the Molson Dry Gorls too!! "Honey, let's go this way..."!! )

Next year dude, for sure!!

[F1Rulz]

Originally posted by Andy
F1Rulz - John, that you?? I found it!! 'cept you put "F1Rule z"!! (Thurs. @ 8:45pm ??) No wonder I couldn't find it in the members list!! SORRY, will change my post above!

Yes you definately should have stuck around but I have to agree, there was so much going on 'outside' that one couldn't resist. (Andy knows F1rulz saw the Molson Dry Gorls too!! "Honey, let's go this way..."!! )

Next year dude, for sure!!

Yah, I told you I'd had a couple by then Actually between the relative we stayed w/ in Vancouver and the GP I'm pretty sure I drank my body weight in alcohol last week. Yes I did see the Molson girls taking pictures w/ fans I figured it wouldn't have been a good idea to get a picture w/ them since Mrs. F1Rulz was nearby. Actually she's better looking

[TheD2JBug]

Andy:

I have to thank you for helping set up a great time. I had a blast!

btw that wasn't the only naughty pic of me . scope this out

http://personal.nbne...ebird/babes.jpg

anyhow If you got hi-res versions of those pics of me and co , please send em my way

mail to lovebird@nbnet.nb.ca

Thanks again all .

[Andy]

TheD2JBug - You animal you!! (LUCKY animal that is!!;) )

[Foghorn Leghorn]

Above is a picture of my girlfriend who has been missing since the Thursday AtlasF1 meeting at Ziggy's. She was reportedly last seen talking with a man who was wearing a loud and hideous shirt. Please email me if have any info on her whereabouts.

[JR]

I think whoever anonymously posted that must've been a real chicken.

[Bex37]

Wow Sounds great.

Its just a shame it happened on the exact opposite side of the world (give or take a thousand kilometres) from where I live

Hey all you Melbourne F1 GP-goers, we've really got to make a big AtlasF1 BB party effort next year!

[vettefan]

Sounds like a great party at Montreal!

I had just about propagandized myself into believing that watching F1 on TV is much better than being there, with the arguments of the expense, the traffic, the expense, the limited view, the expense; and not having instant replay, on-board camera views, and all the rest of TV coverage.

Then I saw all the fun you guys had and got jealous again.

[LuckyStrike1]

Originally posted by theMot

The LuckyStrike girls ...... so they are mine girls then ;) ????

[Andy]

Well I just had to bring this back up to the top so everyone can check out the new pic I just added to my original report, 2nd post. I promised you all a photo of TheD2JBug in his Loud Hawaiian shirt, well there it is!!

Again, Thank You to all who showed up at Ziggy's this year, we had a great time and hope to see you all again next year!

[paulb]

That's not a shirt - its a technicolor yawn!
... it's a parrot fight!
... it's alive!

[maxpapis]

Here we are one big happy family


From L to R:
pRy, TheD2JBug, maxpapis, JanUSA, Mullaluska, Mullaluska's friend. I'm sorry I can't remember his name

Mullaluska and maxpapis
http://www.daytonatr...hotos/max.jpg.1


TheD2JBug and his women

[Andy]

Great pix max! BTW Mullaluska's friend's name is Alec! When were these taken (top 2)? Must have been after the race on Sunday when I opted to take my tired butt home instead of stopping in at Ziggy's again?!